Corn-planter



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. LINDGREN.

CORN PLANTER.

lxwcmoow Patented May 14, 1889. v

llllllllllllllllllililillliiiii (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. LINDGREN. 001m PLANTER.

No. 403,119. Patented May 14, 1889.

I lll lllllllllln'lmfl-lmlllhllll' N. PETER. PhnloLilhognher. WashinginlL 04c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST LIN DGREN, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE MOLINE'PLOW COMPANY, OF ILLINOIS.

CORN-PLANTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 403,119, dated. May 14, 1889.

Application filed November 15, 1888.

to the forward ends of arms extending for-- ward from a rear wheel-frame on which the drivers seat is mounted, the runner-frame being connected to the wheel-frame through the medium of a hand-lever, by which the relative position of the two frames and the position of the runners are so controlled as to regulate the depth of the furrows.

The object of the invention is to secure a more easy and satisfactory operation of the runners and to place them more perfectly under the control of the driver; and to this end it consists, essentially, in combining with the runner-frame and its controlling-lever an intermediate spring coupling or connection of such character that it will permit the parts to yield in either direction from the posit-ion to which they may be adjusted.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine containing my improved device, customary parts foreign to the invention being omitted. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the machine on the line 0c 00. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the coupling device. Fig. 4 is a vertical central section through the same. 7

Referring to the drawings, A represents a cross-bar or axle sustained at its ends on ground-wheels B B. Bolted on top of the axle, and constituting in connection therewith the main frame, are arms or timbers 0, extending forward and provided at their front ends with castings 0, having therein rotary sleeves c, which receive and support a cross bar or shaft, d, forming part of the runner-frame. The runner-frame D comprises the customary runners, d, the front connect- Serial No. 290,928. (No model.)

ing-bar, d rigidly fastened to the tongue, and the bar d, before mentioned. The draft-pole or tongue 61 is bolted firmly to the cross-bar d and connected by a casting, d to the cross-bar d, so that it forms in effect a rigid member of the runner-frame. The tongue is extended rearward to a point near the axle, where it is connected by the spring-coupling E, forming the subject of the present invention, to an arm, f, extending rigidly forward from a rock-shaft, F, mounted in fixed bearings on the wheel-frame and provided with a hand-lever, f. By moving this lever and turning the shaft the spring coupling is caused to raise or lower the rear end of the tongue in relation to the axle, and thus to change the position of the runner-frame and runners. Y

The hand-lever is provided with a lockingdog, f which engages a stationary notched plate, f on the wheel-frame, these devices locking the runner-frame in the position to .which it may be adjusted.

The spring-coupling is constructed as fol-- lows: A rod, 6, has its upper end forked and pivoted to the operating-arm f. It is passed downward through the member 6', having a [1 form. The arms of the member (1 are pro vided at their lower ends with vertical slots 6 Aplate, e ,bolted to the rear end of the tongue, has two cars, each provided with journals 6 which extend through the slots 6 A spiral spring, 6 encircles the rod 6 and bears at its upper end within the member 6', urging the latter upward. At the lower end this spring bears on a plate or washer, 6 which bears upon the tongueplate a so as to press the same downward. A pin, e", passing; through one of a series of holes in the lower end of the rod 6, prevents the escape of the washer, and also serves as a means of adjusting the same to vary the tension of the spring.

Under ordinary conditions the spring holds the parts in the condition shown in Fig. 4, and the coupling is to all intents and purposes a rigid or unyielding one. If, however, there is an excessive upward pressure on the rear end of the tongue, the tongue-plate, bearing upward under the washer e", will overcome the resistance of the spring and the washer roo will slide upward on the rod, thus allowing the tongue and the heels of the runners to rise. During this action the journals 6 will rise in the slots 6 If, however, the excessive strain on the tongue is in the opposite or downward direction, the journals 6 of the tongue-plate, resting in the bottom of the slots and drawing downward on the member 6, will compress the spring, causing the member e to slide downward around the rod 6.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that my coupling holds the parts normally in fixed relations, but that, being adapted to either elongate or shorten under excessive pressures, it will permit the runner-frame to rock either forward or backward, as circumstances may require, and in this manner the runners are permitted to operate under all circumstances with a smooth and easy action.

The essence of the invention resides in the employment of spring-connections which allow the parts to move either side of a normal working position, and the details of the couplings may obviously be modified within the range of mechanical skill.

I am aware that in a planter of the present type springs have been employed to force the heels of the runners downward; but I believe myself to be the first to employ spring-connections having a double actionthat is to say, a capacity to permit the runners to move either upward or downward in a fixed position.

By the expression extensible and compressible spring coupling as herein employed I mean a coupling which will hold the parts normally in a given position, but which is adapted by compression to permit their movement in one direction and by the extension to permit their motion in the opposite direction. It is this capacity of resisting motion in both directions that distinguishes my coupling from those heretofore used in this art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a corn-planter, the wheel-frame and the front runner-frame hinged thereto, in combination with an intermediate extensible and compressible spring-coupling, substantially as described, whereby the runner-frame is permitted to yield in opposite directions from its normal position.

.2. In a corn-planter, the combination of the wl1eel-frame, the front runner-frame hinged thereto, the hand-lever and its locking device,

and the spring-coupling consisting of the parts movable longitudinally in relation to each other and the intermediate spring resisting the movement of said parts in each direction.

3. In a corn-planter, the wheel-frame and the runner-frame jointed to its front, in combination with an intermediate spring-coup ling which resists the descent of the rear end of the runner-frame.

4. The coupling consisting of the rod, the spring and loose washer thereon, and the outside member seated on the spring and arranged to slide on the rod.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 24th day of October, 1888, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

. AUGUST LINDGREN.

lVitn esses:

S. M. HILL, G. A. STEPHENS. 

